Opium & opioids

News2 October 2024

Why drug overdose deaths in the US are dropping fast

Provisional data shows a 10.6% decrease in overdose deaths, and scaled-up public health and harm reduction efforts could be a contributing factor.

Publications26 September 2024

Trouble in Afghanistan’s opium fields: The Taliban's war on drugs

The International Crisis Group warns of devastating effects for impoverished farmers impacted by the Taliban's new anti-narcotics campaign and opium ban, and calls for economic support.

Events

Youth Rise presents the report “Catalysts for change: youth-driven insights in opioid harm reduction”

Online

11 September 2024 - 12 September 2024

Youth Rise disseminate key findings from their Catalysts for Change Report, examining qualitative data from 8 countries which highlight the challenges and needs of young people who use opioids, and support rights-based harm reduction approaches.

Publications12 August 2024

FTIR spectrometer testing of the substance sold as ‘Kush’ in retail drug markets, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau

GI-TOC sheds light on the contents of 'kush' samples (which include synthetic cannabinoids and nitazenes), potential supply routes and health responses.

News14 June 2024

Fentanyl exposure: myths, misconceptions, and the media

This report documents misreporting on fentanyl exposure, highlights its negative consequences, and offers tips for good approaches.

Publications30 May 2024

IDPC contribution to the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats

IDPC recommends improving data collection, prioritising health-based responses, reviewing drug policy frameworks and ensuring robust civil society engagement.

News6 May 2024

Thailand allows use of opium, magic mushrooms for medical purposes, research

Thailand's Public Health Minister backs easing restrictions on medical use of opium and psilocybin but maintains position on cannabis and hemp extracts

News25 April 2024

New York City’s overdose prevention centers: data from the first year of supervised consumption services

Overdose prevention centres in New York City show promising outcomes but continue to face challenges related to policing, legislation and funding.

Events

INCB civil society hearing 2024 (Theme: Synthetic drugs - Scenarios and responses)

Online

22 May 2024

The INCB will hold its annual civil society hearing in relation to synthetic drugs and their rapid expansion.

Publications2 April 2024

Catalysts for change: Youth-driven insights in opioid harm reduction

Youth Rise underscore key challenges for young people who use opioids, including a lack of access to youth-tailored health and harm reduction, enduring stigma, and marginalisation.

News14 February 2024

US: We have treatments for opioid addiction that work. So why is the problem getting worse?

Access to evidence-based life-saving treatments continue to be hampered by stigma, racial inequality, and restrictive policies on drug prescribing.

Publications29 January 2024

Community-led monitoring of opioid agonist treatment

The Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA) collated insights and recommendations from a regional project that aims to empower communities through community-led monitoring mechanisms.

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